Black Bear Hunting Articles

Hunting Preparations That Help Insure Post-Kill SuccessTypical hunters spend months in preparation for that moment when a coveted big game animal is in their sights. Many of these same hunters, however, give little thought to what they will need to do after they have killed a dream animal. That's unfortunate, because what happens after the kill can determine whether a hunt becomes a cherished lifetime memory or a recurring nightmare.
The list of potential problems that can occur after an animal is down is nearly limitless.

Do You Know Your Tracks?Every game animal leaves its mark; imprints in soft soil, sand or snow. These calling cards reveal a historical presence. New or old, they can be read like a book. Learn to recognize them and you can glean a great deal about the game you're hunting. With practice we cannot only learn to identify the type, size, and sometimes sex of the animal, but also their direction of travel and how old the track is.

Spot & Stalk Black Bear Hunting StrategiesIt was the middle of May. My wife, Heather, had done a perfect stalk on an average-sized cinnamon phase bear early in the afternoon. A wonderful trophy in its own right, she was still hoping to fill her second Alberta bear tag on a big old black. With a little luck and some good strategy we hoped to accomplish this all in the same day. In turn, we invested the next several hours scouring the countryside in search of a bigger bruin. Her cinnamon was taken at just 60 yards on a small patch of lush clover, the only one we could locate for several miles in either direction.

Treestand PlacementYou've just secured the hunting hotspot of a lifetime. You know it holds plenty of deer and even a few big ones to boot! Now comes the award winning question - where do you hang your treestand? Choose the right spot and that monster buck you've been dreaming of could very well materialize before your eyes. Select the wrong tree and you could be in for some serious disappointment!

Judging DistanceAccurately judging distance is the first step toward proper shot placement. Instinctive or calculated, bowhunters rely on it for close range shooting. Gun hunters count on their ability to estimate longer distances. Over time we all learn our own tricks for calculating distance but with the advent of laser rangefinders many of us won't leave home without them. Regardless of how you go about it, determining yardage can make or break your hunt.

Spring Farmland Bear HuntingFrom my perch high up in a poplar tree, I patiently gazed in the direction of my bait barrel. A movement to the left caught my attention and within seconds I spotted the outline of a black bear. The animal was standing in heavy underbrush and it was difficult to see how big the bear was. The bear cautiously moved along and within minutes it was less than 20 yards from the tree I was sitting in.

The Bear Facts - 25 Things Every Black Bear Hunter Should KnowDespite divided opinion about the political correctness of bear hunting, it is something every hunter
should try at least once. But a word of caution, if you want to make the most of your outings, there are
a few key things you should know. The more knowledgeable you are, the better your chances of tagging a trophy.

An Introduction to Trail CamerasYou've seen his tracks and they're huge! Nearby scrapes and rubs suggest he could be a monster buck. Now it's decision time. Which stand do you sit? If only you could lay eyes on him, or better yet, figure out when he uses that particular trail . . . you'd have it made!

A Black Bear Baiting GuideConsidered a predator, various states and provinces allow baiting of black bears (ursus americanus). As an Alberta-based outfitter, I’ve hunted bears in just about every manner possible. Although I favor the spot and stalk approach, for my money baiting is undeniably the best way to provide a hunter with an up-close and personal view before hitting the switch.

Black Bear Hunting PrimerStalking trophy black bears is one of the most challenging and intimidating pursuits in North American hunting, especially with a primitive weapon. Doing this when the autumn landscape is shrouded under a bounty of radiant tincture – the air thick with fall’s aromatic pleasures – is the biggest kick of all.

Fall Black Bear BasicsMany big game hunters have hunted the cervids (deer and elk). However fewer have gone after another big game species that inhabits the same areas: black bear. Black bear hunting takes a different set of skills than elk or deer hunting and with many states banning the use of bait/hounds, the challenge of black bear has only grown. This feature article walks you through the basics of black bear hunting from "spot/stalk" to the use of predator calls. Safety is also covered, since precautions are necessary when hunting a predator!

Hunting Cartoons

There it sits. Alone and forgotten in a desk drawer or maybe in the bottom of your hunting pack. The lowly compass. Primarily initially replaced by the hand held GPS and now even by the new “smart” cell phones that include GPS, electronic compass – even real time imaging on aerial maps! Once the friend of every hunter and now the companion of few. It is not glamorous or glitzy, that is for sure… no bells and no whistles. Aaaaah, but let’s not rush to forget our...